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HomeMy WebLinkAbout9-20 Commission minutes finalFINAL Lake Elmo Park Commission Minutes of the Regular Meeting September 20, 2010 Chairman Ames called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Ames, Blackford, Steele, Larson, Dobbs STAFF PRESENT: Project Assistant Kriegler Agenda Agenda was approved. (M/S, Dobbs / Steele, 5-0) . Minutes August 16, 2010 minutes approved as amended. (M/S Dobbs / Steele, 5-0) Motion to approve July Minutes made by “Blackford”, not “Black”. Last paragraph in Sunfish Lake Park prairie restoration project / parking area update - - “Rain Gardens” inserted at start of paragraph to read “Rain Gardens were discussed with . . . . . .” Proposed Eagle Scout Project Presentations Eagle Scout candidate Kyle Yarusso gave an overview of his proposed project which includes the construction of two information kiosks at Demontreville Wildlife Area and a segment of trail rehabilitation also within the park. The trail rehabilitation involves the widening and wood chipping of an existing worn footpath. Kyle outlined his familiarity with the park and expressed his opinion that his proposed project would add considerable improvement to the park. The proposed information kiosks are similar to kiosks recently installed in an Oakdale Park. The kiosks are to be constructed of cedar and will include a roof. There was considerable discussion about the desire / need to have all kiosks and related amenities consistent in use of materials, construction details and appearance. There was some discussion about the inclusion of a roof in these kiosks knowing that the proposed Sunfish Lake Park kiosk design does not include a roof. Kyle suggested that a roof would be desirable in this particular location given the lack of natural shade. Members expressed the desire to upgrade the roofing materials to cedar shakes and therefore recommended funding for the project at $1,400.00. Eagle Scout candidate Chris Amundson gave an overview of his proposed project as well which is also an information kiosk, but located at Sunfish Lake Park. Chris gave an overview of the construction detail and general location of the proposed kiosk. The kiosk is to be constructed of cedar and will serve as a central location for the posting of interpretive, directional and regulatory signage. The materials will be covered by a DNR “Grant-in-aid” capital improvement grant. Members of the Commission expressed the interest in having the kiosk located on the north side of the drive with the final location determined by the parking lot grading plan and location of the rain gardens. The desire was expressed for the kiosks to be painted / stained with a “natural” finish for aesthetics and preservation / care of the cedar. Ames requested that the cement for the footings be mixed outside of the hole. Members expressed that a future agenda item address the development of design standards for kiosks and related park amenities. Motion: Recommend approval of the proposed (Yarusso Eagle Scout) project and recommend funding up to $1,400.00 (M/S Rolf / Steele) Motion: Recommend approval of the proposed (Amundson Eagle Scout) project with materials and finish to be consistent with the Demontreville kiosks. (M/S Larson / Steele) Discussion on Park Safety and efforts to Promote Appropriate Park In light of recent criminal activity in the area, Chairman Ames requested that the Commission have a general discussion regarding park safety and efforts to promote park use and curb vandalism and illegal activity. Members expressed the interest in evaluating problem parks for opportunities to increase visibility and increase safety and security. The interest was expressed to incorporate design elements that encourage appropriate park use and discourage inappropriate use, such as increasing the visibility of parking areas by neighbors and passers-by as well as possibly increasing signage and employing surveillance cameras. Kriegler was asked to investigate what resources might be available for conducting a “public safety” evaluation of parks. Carol Kreigler reported on developments related to scheduled improvements to the parking area and Area 2 of Sunfish Lake Park. Specifically, details were provided on the plans to grade the parking area and install rain gardens in an effort to solve the ongoing drainage problem in the parking area. There is a history of standing water in the northeast corner of the parking area at snowmelt and following heavy rains. Kriegler explained that City Engineer Stempski proposes the installation of rain gardens along the south side of the parking area (in an effort to capture run-off from the sloped turf area and gravel drive) as well as pretreatment area north of the parking lot that would capture run-off from the parking area. The parking area would be graded in such a way that run-off would be directed to the pre-treatment area to the north. Members expressed that the grading plan consider the need to accommodate horse trailers and buses and their need to turn-around. Members expressed that effectively addressing the standing water in the parking area is a high priority that must be addressed before the start of the cross-country ski season when the park is in high use. Some concern was expressed though, about the lack of projected costs associated with the rain gardens. Kriegler responded that Stempski would be estimating detailed budgets / costs for the rain gardens. Motion: Recommends City Council approval of grading of the parking area and supports installation of the rain gardens pending review of costs by the City Council.Chairman Review and Discussion on Potential Recreational uses of Area to be Turned Back to the City following MPCA Landfill Remediation Kriegler provided a very brief overview of the discussion that took place with 3 commission members (Larson, Zeno, Dobbs), Engineer Stempski, City Administrator Messelt, Kriegler and Peter Tiffany of the MPCA. Requests / desires as expressed by the Commission at their August meeting were expressed to Tiffany. Kriegler reported that Engineer Stempski has since followed up the meeting with a letter to Tiffany (MPCA) requesting that the hole be minimized by fill. It was also reported that the grading of the area would not be taking place this fall and that considerably more time would be available for development of the grading plan. Adjourned 8:50 Respectfully submitted, Carol Kriegler, Project Assistant